Car Experts - Tire Question

[nord1899]

Okay, its about time for me to change the tires on the car I have. I've got a 97 Acura CL 3.0, and it currently has on Michelin Energy's. The tires are okay, but the wet condition handling is pretty poor. Which is a problem now that I've moved to Long Island from Phoenix.

So I was looking around and found the Bridgestone Potenza RE950's which look like a good replacement. Only catch is, my car currently has on V rated tires and the Bridgestones are H rated.

So I am just curious if this will make any problems for me? I doubt it since both are rated 130+mph, but I figured asking wouldn't hurt. Especially since a few tire selection engines don't even provide the Bridgestones as an option.

Just in case you are curious, my car takes 205/55R16V.

Thanks.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: Sidewayz
BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDWS

Yeah, those were my next choice.

Guess I should state what I am looking for.

I want a good performance tire, with decent treadlife, that will be able to handle Long Island weather. Which is fairly wet with a bit of snow. But for the most part is dry.

My current tires lack in the wet/snow department. And I dunno, I just think something out there would be much better.

 

[KokomoGST]

I had Energys on my car... they didn't just suck... they blew too... talk about no grip. Any attempt to put down serious power in lower gears in the dry or any power at all in the wet meant wheelspin. I use them as my snow tires now since I have summer tires on another set of wheels. We're getting snow tonite but I can always resort to borrowing an AWD SUV from da folks.

You're not going to be able to get all-seasons to grip very well in the snow. They're never going to be as good as real deal snow tires. The KDWS seems to be the best bang for the buck on Tirerack at the moment. However, I would just consider getting a second set of wheels with snow tires on them if you need to commute everyday to work even in the worst salted, sanded, muddy, ice-ridden crap in the NY metro area.

 

[radioouman]

I just went through this for my Saturn. I ended up with the Dunlop SP A2. I had Firestone Affinities on their before, and they were noisy and had no traction. The Dunlops are definately quieter, have tons of grip, and excellent wet weather traction. They also have a better ride (less harsh).

 

[nord1899]

The only problem with the Dunlops is that the reviews all say the wear really really quick.

Wouldn't winter tires be a bit of overkill for an area that barely gets snow? Last two years there hasn't been much at all in terms of snow here.

Just curious because I don't want to get snow tires+wheels and end up not truly needing it.

 

[nord1899]

Quick bump, especially since Sidewayz has been nuked from the system.

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: nord1899
The only problem with the Dunlops is that the reviews all say the wear really really quick.

Wouldn't winter tires be a bit of overkill for an area that barely gets snow? Last two years there hasn't been much at all in terms of snow here.

Just curious because I don't want to get snow tires+wheels and end up not truly needing it.

You really shouldn't need snow tires on Long Island, unless you are a paramedic or someone else that just has to be able to get to work no matter what.
The speed rating really doesn't matter, as there are very few places on LI that you can drive at a sustained 130MPH.

 

[KokomoGST]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: nord1899
Just curious because I don't want to get snow tires+wheels and end up not truly needing it.

You really shouldn't need snow tires on Long Island, unless you are a paramedic or someone else that just has to be able to get to work no matter what.
The speed rating really doesn't matter, as there are very few places on LI that you can drive at a sustained 130MPH.

Nope... even in Jersey I haven't needed traction in the snow more than once a year... and that one time wasn't even neccessary, it was on a weekend. But then again, I use mass transit as do many other people.
If you are a "must get to work" then snow tires or chains or whatever are a neccessity. If not... the KDWS. We really don't get snow... more slush & ice since they're always salting & sanding the roads.